Container



A. G. RAYBURN Oct. 23, 1951 CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 21, 1946 INVENTOR. ALDEN G. RAYBUEN BY k%7m A T TOENE Y Oct. 23, 1951 A. G. RAYBIURN 2,572,387

CONTAINER Filed May 21, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll H 3Q i :1: I: :l: 5 I

I I I INVENTOR. I ALDEN 6- RAYBUEN I l BY- I MT??? W ATTORNEY Oct. 23, 1951 A. G. RAYBURN 2,572,387

CONTAINER Filed May 21, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 3, 35 26 2 I'll 57- 5.-

a INVENTOR 4 ALDEN G. RAYBUEN ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER Alden G. Rayburn, Sausalito, Calif. Application May 21, 1946, Serial No. 671,297

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a container in the form of a carton which is especially designed for light weight and strength and for maintenance of a substantially constant temperature during shipment of perishable foods and the like.

The increasing demand for fresh foods at the consumer table is a major problem, that is the packaging of such foods at packing plants and then transportin them to rail, sea or air transport terminals for shipment to distant points by truck, demands a package .or carton having unusual strength to resist crushing and rough handling. In addition a package or carton of this character should be light in weight, and furthermore should be able to protect the contents against any material temperature change during the handling and transit period.

The object of the present invention is to provide a carton for the purpose described which is light in weight and at the same time possesses unusual strength, and to provide a carton that may carry a refrigerant if desirable, and which will maintain a substantially constant predetermined temperature over a long period of time, or at least during an average period of handling and transportation.

The carton is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank the carton is formed;

Fig. 2 shows the completed carton with one section of the cover in open position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an intermediate stage assumed by the carton blank prior to folding;

Fig. 4 shows the carton blank folded upon itself;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line V -.V of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line VIVI of Fig. 2-; and

Fig. '7 is a vertical transverse section taken on line VIIVII of Fig. .2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Fig. 1, it will be noted that the blank from which the carton is to be formed is substantially square in outline and that it is scored along the dotted lines indicated at l5 and I6, and also along lines. 11, I8 and I9 which are disposed transverse thereto to form four panels marked A, B, Q, and D. The blank is out completely through on each side of the score lines [5 and 16 as indicated by the lines 20, 2|, 22, 23, 24 and 25 to form eight panels, four of which are disposed on one, side of the score, line l5 and from which indicated by the numerals 4, 1, 4a and la, and the other four are disposed on the side presented by the score lines 16 and are indicated by the numerals 2, 3, 2a and 3a. The blank thus scored and cut is divided into twelve panels which, when properly folded, form a carton which has a double walled bottom section, a double walled cover section and double walled sides with a predetermined air spacing between the walls as will hereinafter be described.

The panels A, B, C and D form the exterior Walls of the carton. The panel 2 cooperates with the panel A to form the interior wall thereof. The panel I forms the inner wall for the panel B; the panel 2a the inner wall for the panel C, and the panel la the inner wall for the panel D. The panels 3 and 3a form the bottom section of the carton and the panels 4 and 4a the cover section. The cover panel 4 is scored along the dotted lines indicated at 26, 21, 2B-28 and 29-29, and is cut at each side as indicated by the lines 30 and 3| to form bendable tabs 32. Also the outer edge of the panel 4 is cutto form a lug 33. The panel 4a is cut and scored in a manner identical to the panel 4 and so are the panels 3 and 3a.

The panel I is scored along the dotted lines indicated at 34 and 35 and it is out along the lines 36, 31 and 38 to form a bendable flap 39, the function of which will hereinafter be described. The panel la, is scored and cut in a manner substantially the same as the panel I and so are the panels 2 and 2a, but in addition thereto these last named panels are scored on the lines 40 and cut on the lines 41 and 42 to form bendable tabs 43. Furthermore, they are scored along each side as indicated by the dotted lines 45 and 46. These last named score lines are important as will hereinafter be described.

In actual practice cardboard, fiberboard or whatever material is employed is cut and scored in the factory in the manner described and as such forms a fiat blank such as shown in Fig. 1 and may be shipped in this form to the ultimate user, and erected for use by automatic machines which may be developed for this purpose. A more desirable method of shipping the blank, however is to fold the blank upon itself on the score lines I! and I9 so that the panels A, 2 and 4 will overlay the panels B, 3 and 4, and the panels D, 3a and la, will overlay the panels C, 2a and 4a. When the blank is, so folded, the; two outer edges 41 and 48will meet substantially as shown in Fig. 4 and will there besecured together. by theapplication of anadhesive trip 49 which has a length equal to the height of the carton, which is usually standard practice.

The blank is still flat as it has merely been folded upon itself and while the thickness of the blank has been doubled, it is preferable to ship it in this form to the user as it simplifies final erection of the carton.

If the carton blank is received by the final user in the folded flat form shown in Fig. 4, and the carton is to be erected, the procedure will be as follows. First the fiat folded blank is grasped by the outer edges indicated at 60 and 6| (see Fig. 4) and these edges are pressed towards each other until a square tube is formed as shown in Fig. 3. The panel I is then folded on the score line 34 to form a flap 34a which, when folded, will be disposed at right angles to the panel I. Panel I is then folded on the score lines 35 and I5 and down into the carton until it assumes a position parallel to the panel B. Panel I thus forms the inner wall of the outer panel B and the flap 34a and the portion 35a formed between the score lines 35 and I5 become spacers which hold the inner and outer walls apart. Panel la which as previously stated is substantially identical to panel I is next folded and positioned in the same manner as panel I and therefore becomes the inner wall for the panel D. Panels I and la cover the full width of the carton as shown in Fig. 2. Hence, panels 2 and 2a which are to be folded next will have to be narrower as they will fold into the space formed between the inner walls I and la. It is for this reason that panels 2 and 2a are scored along each side on the lines indicated at 45 and 46. Thus when the panel 2 (see Fig. 3) is to be folded to form the inner wall for the panel A, it is first necessary to bend the panel 2 on the score lines 45 and 46 until they assume a position at right angles to the panel 2. The tabs 43 are bent at the same time and they must again be bent at right angles on their score lines -40. The panel is now folded on the score line 31 to form a flap which assumes a position at right angles to the panel 2 and the panel is finally folded on the lines 35 and I6 into the box where the panel 2 will assume a position parallel to the exterior panel A where it is spaced therefrom by the portion of the material formed between the score lines I6 and 35 and by the flap 31a. The folding of the panel on the lines 45 and 46 reduced the width of the panel 2 so that when it is folded into the carton between the walls I and la, it will snugly fit against said walls. The position of the panel 2 when finally folded is shown at 2 in Fig. 2. Panel 2a is identical to the panel 2 and it is accordingly folded and positioned in a manner identical to the panel 2 and as such becomes the inner wall of the outer panel C. Four panels, 4, 4a, 3 and 3a, now remain which will have to be folded. The panels 4 and 4a when folded form the cover of the box and the panels 3 and 3a the bottom of the box, and inasmuch as these panels are identical in construction and are folded in the same manner, it is obvious that either end of the carton can be utilized'as the top or the bottom. The panel 4 may be folded first. This is accomplished first by folding it on the score lines 29-29 so that the portions 29a thereof will assume a position at right angles to the panel. In doing so the tabs 32 are also folded and they must again be folded at right angles to the portions 29a on their score lines 28-48. The panel 4 is now folded on the score lines 26 and 21 and when so folded assumes the position shown at 4 in Fig. 2. That is the portion of the panel disposed between the lines 26 and 21 is indicated at 26a. The portions formed by the folding of the panel along the score lines 29-29 are indicated at 29a and the tabs 32, while not shown, will be disposed in under the outer ends of the portion 260., thus strengthening and reenforcing the same. The tab 33 assumes the position shown in Fig. 2 and when the cover panel 4 is closed, the tab 33 will engage the tab 39 formed on the inner panel 2 and force this inwardly. In forcing it inwardly a slot or opening is formed in the panel 2 into which the tab 33 projects, thus supporting the panel 4 in the position where it remains parallel to and becomes the inner wall of the cover, that is the portion 4b forms the inner wall and the portion 4 the exterior wall of the cover. The panel 411 is folded and positioned in an identical manner and in Fig. 2 is shown in closed position. It should be noted that both the panels 4 and 4a are identical in size and as both are folded upon themselves along the score lines 26 and 21, the panel 4 forms a double wall cover covering one-half of the opening in the carton and the panel 4 becomes a double walled cover covering the other half of the carton opening. When the folding of the panels 4 and 4a have been completed and folded to closed position, they may be secured in that position by application of adhesive tape. The carton may then be turned upsidedown and the cover sections 4 and 40. may temporarily or permanently become the bottom of the carton. The panels 3 and 3a are now to be folded and as they are substantially identical in construction to the panels 4 and 4a, and are folded in the same manner, a detailed description of the folding and closing of these panels is thought unnecessary.

By referring to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the fiap 37a of the panel 2, that is its inner edge, is free with relation to the exterior panel A and the cover 4. Thus the flap 31a may be raised upwardly about the score line 31 for opening the compartment or space formed between the panels A and 2. For instance, if the carton is due to be used for packaging and shipment. of perishable goods which require refrigeration, it is obvious that it will be possible to place a cake of Dry Ice or any other suitable refrigerant in this compartment and then to close the flap 31a before closing the cover 4. As there is a a similar flap and compartment between the panels C and la, this space may also be utilized to hold or receive a refrigerant. This is also true of the top and bottom closures should it prove desirable to increase refrigerant capacity without having to increase the box size.

If a refrigerant such as Dry Ice is used, it is desirable to vent off the carbon-dioxide gas liberated. To do so it is only necessary to form one or more slits or openings in the panels 2 and 2a as shown at 62-62 and 63-63 (see Fig. 1). Such slits form vents through which the gas can fiow into adjoining air spaces filling them. This gas will also escape into the compartment containing the perishable goods and from there it will pass out through a vent to the outside of the box or will obviously escape by natural leakage. Carbon dioxide gas does not support moisture and therefore adds to the insulation efiiciency of the box. Some perish able articles require refrigeration and others may only need pre-cooling before shipment and if precooling only is necessary, it is obvious that the carton here shown will tend to maintain the pre-cooled temperature for a considerable period of time as the air spaces formed between the walls, the double bottom and double cover will function as insulation and thereby tend to maintain a constant temperature over a comparatively long period of time.

While the carton has been described for use in connection with refrigerated or pre-cooled or heated perishable products, it is obvious that it may also be used for packaging and transportation of fragile materials and also where a strong carton is necessary. If fragile materials are packaged in a carton of this kind, it is obvious that they will be cushioned with relation to the outer walls by the spaced inner walls and by the spaced inner and outer cover and bottom sections. For instance, if a carton of this character contains a fragile product or material, the outer surfaces presented may be indented by impact and if that is the case, the outer walls will yield or cushion without imparting said impact through the inner walls to the product. The light weight of a carton of this character is of course mainly due to the material from which the carton is manufactured. That is, it will preferably be made from cardboard, fiberboard or the like, but if the carton were single walled throughout, it would obviously have little strength, and in addition be more subject to moisture attack. In this instance double walls are provided throughout and these walls reenforce each other and the outer walls, thus providing not only light weight, but unusual strength because if the outer walls should fail, the inner walls remain for support. In addition thereto, it is possible to make a carton of this character from a single blank, and while this is not absolutely essential, it is obviously an advantage. While this and other features of the invention have been more or less specifically described and illustrated, it should be understood that changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claim and that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the experience or judgment of the manufacturer may dictate or varying conditions or uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a carton having spaced apart inner and outer side walls and inner and outer spaced apart bottom walls; a pair of cover members each covering substantially one half of the open end of the carton, said cover members being substantially identical and each comprising an outer flap connected by a hinge to an adjacent one of said outer side walls so as to fold partially over said open end, said cover member having a pair of transverse score lines formed thereon parallel to said hinge and about midway of its length to permit each cover member to be folded on said score lines to form an intermediate spacer strip and an inner flap parallel to said outer flap; and a tab extending from the free end of said inner flap toward said hinge when said cover member is closed; the adjacent inner side wall having a slot formed therein parallel to and below the top thereof a distance about equal to the width of said spacer strip to receive said tab and to support the inner flap on said adjacent inner side wall spaced from and parallel to the outer flap when the cover member is closed.

ALDEN G. RAYBURN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 975,121 Carter Nov. 8, 1910 1,843,038 McIlvain Jan. 26, 1932 1,950,582 Ware Mar. 13, 1934 2,173,871 Zalkind Sept. 26, 1939 2,180,682 Lapara Nov. 21, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 118,415 Australia July 10, 1930 1 98 Gre t r ta n May 2 1928. 

